Four years since his last album, Lupe Fiasco is back, better than ever. Lasers sold 204,000 copies in the first week, Fiasco’s most successful album ever. After postponing multiple albums, Fiasco’s release of Love Always Shines Everytime, Remember 2 Smile, called for peace around the world. The “A” in Lasers was written over an “O”. In the Lasers Manifesto that was released on YouTube and Fiasco’s main website, Fiasco said, “We want knowledge, understanding & peace. We will not lose because we are not losers, we are lasers! Lasers are revolutionary. Lasers are the future.”

The album had some politically charged messages in them, highlighted by Words I Never Said. It criticized numerous government decisions, from budget cuts to motives behind war. I thought Skylar Grey’s role, singing the chorus was great, ‘Its so loud, inside my head, with words that I should have said. As I drown, in my regrets, with words that I never said.’

The most popular song was The Show Goes On. Although it is one of my favorite songs from the album, lyrically, it wasn’t typical Lupe. They were bland lyrics with a catchy tune, just a hit song to hit the charts, which was exactly what happened. Lupe himself wasn’t a big fan either, unlike other rappers today, his songs usually have actual meaning. ‘Alright, till the morning we dream so long, anybody ever wonder, when they would see the sun up, just remember when you come up, the show goes on!’ It’s a great pregame warmup song, but not what you expect from Lupe.

Generally, the album was pretty good. Classic Lupe – catchy tunes and meaningful lyrics. Its good to see he is back. Looking ahead, Fiasco may release Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album. But, his last few albums were postponed and some were just ridden of entirely.